138Approvals of payments

138 Approvals of payments

(1)  Subject to this Act, the Commission must –

(a) approve the making of a payment under this Part if –

(i) a claim for the payment is made by a registered party or party agent for a registered party, or by an independent Assembly candidate, in the approved manner and approved form; and

(ii) the Commission is satisfied that the registered party or candidate is eligible for the payment; or

(b) refuse to approve the making of the payment under this Part –

(i) if a claim for the payment is not made in the approved manner and approved form or the Commission is not satisfied that the registered party or candidate is eligible for the payment; or

(ii) to the extent that the payment would exceed the amount of electoral expenditure for which payment may be made under this Part.

(2)  In assessing a claim for payment under this Part, the Commission may require the applicant to provide the Commission with further, or other, information relevant to the assessment.

(3)  If the Commission is satisfied that it is proper to do so, it may disallow, wholly or in part, any items of expenditure covered by a claim under this Part.